Reported Liverpool and Leeds United target Rodrigo De Paul wants to leave Serie A outfit Udinese in the summer transfer window, his Argentina manager has told Gazzetta dello Sport.
The former Valencia youngster may have done his level best to distance himself from the raging fires of speculation but noises coming out of Italy suggest De Paul is finally on his way out of Stadio Friuli after five years of loyal service.
Last week, Udinese’s sporting director admitted the mid-table outfit wouldn’t stand in their captain’s way should he wish to seal a big-money move to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds or Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
And, according to a man who handed De Paul his international debut in 2018, the time has come for an all-action midfielder to climb the footballing ladder.
Will Leeds or Liverpool finally sign Rodrigo De Paul?
“I think (De Paul) is ready, without diminishing the value of Udinese, a club I know well,” says Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.
“I know he is perfectly at ease there but there comes a time when every player needs to take a leap in quality. And he is ready.
“(De Paul) is an interesting player because he adapts very well in different positions, a modern player. To play in the national team and try to make their way into a top club, I think he wants it and I hope Udinese will be open to this possibility.”
You need more than a velveteen touch and impressive passing range to make the grade at Liverpool and Leeds, of course.
But De Paul’s seemingly endless energy reserves – coupled with an ability to thrive in numerous midfield roles – stand him in good stead should he join forces with either of England’s most demanding tacticians.
It remains to be seen how much the 26-year-old will cost, though, with Udinese’s president suggesting the bidding will start at £30 million.
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